Tetralin Polyester Oxygen Absorbent for Odor-Free Packaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oxygen absorbents, particularly those containing iron powder, face issues such as interference with metal detectors, risk of ignition, limited effectiveness in low moisture conditions, and odor production due to polymer chain degradation, leading to suboptimal performance and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A polyester oligomer with a tetralin ring and a transition metal catalyst, specifically iron, cobalt, nickel, or copper, is used to create an oxygen absorbent composition that maintains structural integrity and absorbs oxygen across a wide range of humidity conditions without generating odors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If iron powder is used as the reactive base compound in oxygen absorbents, then oxygen-absorbing ability is improved, but the absorbent responds to metal detectors and cannot be inspected for foreign matter
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameter from iron powder to ascorbic acid, fundamentally altering the material properties. This substitution maintains oxygen-absorbing functionality while eliminating metallic characteristics that interfere with detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs ascorbic acid, a non-metallic, biodegradable organic compound that serves as a single-use oxygen absorbent. This disposable approach eliminates the need for metal detection and foreign matter inspection while maintaining effective oxygen removal capabilities.
2Reliability
If iron powder is used as the reactive base compound, then oxygen-absorbing ability is improved, but the packaging body has a risk of ignition and cannot be heated by microwave oven
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition from ferromagnetic iron powder to organic ascorbic acid, fundamentally altering thermal and magnetic properties. This substitution eliminates ignition risks associated with metallic powders while maintaining oxygen-absorbing functionality through a different chemical mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful oxidizability of iron powder (which causes ignition risk) into a beneficial property of ascorbic acid, which absorbs oxygen through a controlled biochemical reaction that does not generate heat or ignition hazards, thereby transforming a safety hazard into a safe oxygen removal system.
3Reliability
If iron powder is used as the reactive base compound, then oxygen-absorbing ability is improved, but the oxidation reaction requires water and is effective only when preserve is rich in moisture content
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the reaction mechanism from iron oxidation (which requires water as a reactant) to ascorbic acid oxidation, which can proceed through different pathways including direct oxygen reduction. This fundamental chemical parameter change enables effectiveness across varying moisture conditions.
4Reliability
If polymer chain is cut by oxidation degradation after absorption of oxygen, then oxygen absorption occurs, but odor is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs ascorbic acid, a simple organic molecule that absorbs oxygen and transforms into dehydroascorbic acid and other non-odorous degradation products. This disposable organic absorbent eliminates the polymer chain degradation and odor generation problems associated with polyamide-based oxygen absorbents.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition achieves excellent oxygen-absorbing performance in various humidity levels, suppresses odor generation, and avoids interference with metal detectors, making it suitable for diverse applications including food, beverages, and medicinal products.
Implementation Method 1
a polyester oligomer containing a constitutional unit having at least one tetralin ring selected from the group consisting of constitutional units represented by the following formulas (1) to (4)... and a transition metal catalyst wherein the transition metal catalyst is a catalyst containing at least one transition metal selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, nickel and copper
Data Source
AI summary
The oxygen absorbent composition of the present invention at least contains a polyester oligomer containing a constitutional unit having a predetermined tetralin ring and a transition metal catalyst. It is preferable that the oxygen absorbent composition of the present invention further contains a thermoplastic resin.